Noise, Resolution and sensitivity
Sony has stuck to the ISO 100-12,800 sensitivity range, which can be extended to ISO 25,600 in multi-frame NR mode. The refined 16.2-million-pixel sensor is as capable as the Alpha 55’s at resolving detail at lower sensitivities. As I would expect from a camera at this level, it can resolve detail up to 26 on our charts.
An output of 4912×3264 pixels provides enough detail for prints of around 16.5x11in at 300ppi without any degradation of quality. The 14.2-million-pixel sensor of the Alpha 33 outputs at 4592×3056 pixels, which equates to 15.5x10in prints at 300ppi.
One of the most impressive things about the Alpha 35 is its ability in low light. Even at ISO 6400 it can still capture detail up to 24 on our charts, which is marginally improved from the Alpha 55. Luminance noise is apparent at this setting but edge detail is still crisp. The highest setting of ISO 12,800 shows a decline in detail but is good nonetheless. I took several images in Guildford town centre at night, and am very pleased with the results.
Resolution, noise & dynamic range: These images show 72ppi (100% on a computer screen) sections of images of a resolution chart, captured using the 105mm f/2.8 Sigma lens at its sharpest setting. We show the section of the resolution chart where the camera starts to fail to reproduce the lines separately. The higher the number visible in these images, the better the camera’s detail resolution at the specified sensitivity setting.
